Gin
is gin is gin, but just maybe that may no longer be the case
anymore. Gin is generally juniper flavored vodka with sometimes
over a dozen other botanicals thrown in for more flavor and
balance but the juniper is always the lead botanical in a
ginned up blend. Not anymore!

The
good folks over at Tub brand, founded in Colorado in 2008
out of a partnership between RTO+P (Red Tettemer O'Connell
+ Partners) and Peach Street Distillers (founded in 2005)
have introduced a small batch, seasonal spirit called Tub
Hopped Gin with Plum Spirits.

It
all starts with their original citrus forward gin made from
high-desert juniper berries and married with plums in the
Palisade plum eau-de-vie and macerated with Chinook hops.
And let me tell you, you won't find this information on their
site as they are very coy and secretive about their ingredients
and processes and equally passionate about everything they
do. However, on their site you will find this self description;
"Peach Street Distillers are a band of misfits making
unreasonable spirits the hard way." They sound like my
kind of crazies.

Okay
so let's get to it and see what this hopped up plum gin is
all about. The nose is quite mild and very juniper forward
with that tangy citrus aroma following closely and bringing
up the rear is that plum eau-de-vie but barely a trace of
hops. On the palate the plum flavor moves forward and seems
equal to the juniper. It is really quite smooth and citrusy
and flavorful without being overpowering and bringing up the
rear this time is a hint of hops and bit of liqourice. The
flavor is balanced very nicely between the citrus and the
sweet. Overall, the finish is smooth but has a touch of spice
that makes it quite nice leaving a taste of the juniper and
plum contending for top honors in the throat for a medium
amount of time.

This
is definitely not your grandfather's gin and that might just
be a good thing. The plum flavor works very well with the
juniper and they seem to be balanced quite nicely so they
both play well with each other. This makes for an interesting
and flavorful sipper as well as a pretty tasty martini. And
if all this wasn't enough to get you to try it the price of
30 odd bucks a bottle might present the closing argument.

You
can get Tub Hopped Gin with Plum Spirits
in a 750ML bottle for around $32.99 to $34.99 which is 40%
ABV or 80 proof.